Abstract

The new computer technology that dramatically improves color reproduction in newspapers also allows digital retouching of photographs. Digital retouching can alter and synthesize photos to the point that the alteration is undetectable. This technology gives publications the ability to create eye‐catching illustrations, but does it have a place in photojournalism? This paper attempts to raise some initial ethical questions. Although manipulation of photographs is not new, digital retouching allows for imperceptible alterations of photographs to be made with speed, ease, and precision. All the editors agreed that news photographs should not be altered. However, there was disagreement about photographs that appeared in the feature sections, in particular photo illustrations.